Building surfaces are often painted and decorated with various types of coverings for aesthetic appeal and to provide a layer of surface protection. Painters apply paints, varnishes, enamels, epoxy and other types of finishes; often they also prep the surface, which can involve powerwashing, lead containment, fixing wall imperfections, spackling, and caulking. Painters also use steamers to remove wallpaper before painting.

Paperhangers cover interior walls and ceilings with decorative paper, fabric, vinyls, and other types of materials. Though paperhanging is a separate skill, many craftsman do both, although the demand for paperhangers has diminished over the years as most people select paint over wallpaper for their interiors. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, there are approximately 192,890 painters in the workforce, but only 3,460 paperhangers.

Paint interior and exterior surfaces with brushes, rollers, and sprayers; prep surfaces by caulking, powerwashing, and masking off surfaces; measure interior walls or ceilings, cut decorative wallpaper or fabric to size and apply it to interior walls and ceilings